Image processing system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an image processing system in which a client apparatus transmits RAW image data to a server apparatus, receives a result developed by the server apparatus, and displays onto a display area. The client apparatus reduces the RAW image data to a size suitable to display, transmits to the server apparatus, and requests a development processing. At this time, the client apparatus also starts a transmission processing of original RAW image data to the server apparatus. While making adjustment of the development processing to reduced RAW image data, the client apparatus and the server apparatus also execute a transmission and reception processing of the original RAW image data in parallel therewith. After the development processing of the reduced RAW image data, if there is a request from the client apparatus, the server apparatus also executes the development processing of the original RAW image data in a manner similar to the reduced RAW image data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system fordeveloping an RAW image.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, when image data is recorded, image data of an RAWformat in which data obtained from an image pickup element such as a CCDor CMOS is recorded in a form that is close to an original form of theobtained data, together with data of a general JPEG format has beenused. The RAW format is a format that is unique for every digital cameramaker.

Therefore, in order to develop the image data of the RAW format, theuser needs to install a dedicated software program (developmentsoftware) which is provided by each maker into an information apparatus.That is, there is such a problem that if the information apparatus hasthe development software installed therein, the image data (RAW imagedata) of the RAW format developed and cannot be displayed.

As a measure for solving such a problem, when a client apparatustransmits the RAW image data to a server apparatus through a network,the server apparatus develops the RAW image data and returns image dataof a general purpose format to the client. Thus, the client can displayand print the data by using the image data returned from the serverapparatus.

However, since the RAW image data has a large data size, it takes a longtime to transmit the RAW image data from the client apparatus to theserver apparatus through the network. At present, in the general RAWimage data, a size of image pickup element such as a CCD or CMOS isequal to about 4000 pixels (in the lateral direction) and 3000 pixels(in the vertical direction). When each pixel of the data is convertedinto digital data by 14 bits and stored, a storage capacity per objectis generally equal to about 20 Mbytes although it depends on complexityof the object.

At present, a communication speed of the general network is equal to,for example, about 1 Mbps in the upstream direction. When the RAW imagedata of 20 Mbytes has been transmitted at the communication speed of 1Mbps, since 20 Mbytes=160 Mbits, a long time of 160 Mbits/1 Mbits=160seconds (2 minutes 40 seconds) is required.

Further, when the user wants to develop a large amount of RAW imagedata, a very long time is expended and usability deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the problems in the related art, it is an aspect ofthe invention to realize a construction in which in the case where anRAW image is transmitted from a client apparatus to a server apparatusand the server apparatus develops RAW image data and transmits thedeveloped data to the client apparatus, a time which is required untilthe client apparatus displays an RAW development result is reduced,thereby enabling the user to rapidly confirm the development result.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image processingsystem is constructed as follows. A client apparatus reduces RAW imagedata to a size suitable to display, transmits the reduced data to aserver apparatus, and requests a development processing. At this time,the client apparatus also starts a transmission processing of originalRAW image data to the server apparatus. While adjusting the developmentprocessing to the reduced RAW image data, the client apparatus and theserver apparatus also execute a transmission and reception processing ofthe original RAW image data in parallel therewith. After completion ofthe development processing of the reduced RAW image data, if there is arequest from the client apparatus, the server apparatus also soonexecutes the development processing of the original RAW image data in amanner similar to that in the reduced RAW image data.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an imageprocessing system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a clientapparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a serverapparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating RAW image data according tothe embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the clientapparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of theclient apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the serverapparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of theserver apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an image display window according tothe embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are display screen diagrams each illustrating an imagedisplay state in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are display screen diagrams each illustrating an imagedisplay state in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure on the clientapparatus side in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for describing reduced RAW image datacropped out from original RAW image data.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for describing reduced RAW image datacropped out from the original RAW image data.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure on the serverapparatus side in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are display screen diagrams each illustrating an imagedisplay state when the user has instructed an equal magnification.

FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram when the user has instructed the equalmagnification.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are display screen diagrams each illustrating an imagedisplay state when the user has executed a scroll operation.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram when the user has executed the scrolloperation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

Construction of Image Processing System

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic construction of an imageprocessing system according to an embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing system has a clientapparatus 101, a digital camera 102, and a server apparatus 105. Thedigital camera 102 is connected to the client apparatus 101 by a USBcable 103. The client apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 105 areconnected through an Internet line 104.

The client apparatus 101 may be an apparatus similar to a PC (personalcomputer) which is generally used at present. It is assumed that theclient apparatus 101 has a network card adapter and is connected to theInternet line 104.

The digital camera 102 records a photographed image by an RAW format.The digital camera 102 is connected to the client apparatus 101 by theUSB cable 103 and transmits an image file (RAW image file) of the RAWformat to the client apparatus 101.

Software for the server to execute an online development service hasbeen installed in the server apparatus 105 and is executed. Although theserver apparatus 105 ordinarily has a high-speed CPU and a storagemedium of a large capacity in order to execute a large amount of dataprocessings and network communication at a high speed, its hardwareconstruction may be a construction similar to the client apparatus 101.

Internal Constructions of Client Apparatus 101 and Server Apparatus 105

First, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal constructionof the client apparatus 101.

The client apparatus 101 has a display unit 201 constructed by a liquidcrystal display or the like, an input unit 202 constructed by a mouseand a keyboard, a hard disk 203 serving as a nonvolatile storage medium,a DRAM 204 serving as a volatile storage medium, and a CPU 205 servingas a central processing unit. They are connected to an internal bus 221.

The internal bus 221 is a bus for directly or indirectly connecting thedisplay unit 201, input unit 202, hard disk 203, CPU 205, DRAM 204,Internet line 104, and other units (not shown), thereby enabling them tomutually perform data transmission and reception.

The hard disk 203 stores an operating system (OS), a program, and theRAW image file. The program is used to make the client apparatus 101operative as a client apparatus of the image processing system. The CPU205 reads out the program from the hard disk 203, stores it into theDRAM 204, and sequentially executes it, thereby realizing functions andprocessings, which will be described hereinafter.

The RAW image file is a file which was photographed by the digitalcamera 102 and received therefrom. By the operating system, the CPU 205manages, on a file unit basis, the RAW image data formed everyphotographing.

The DRAM 204 stores the foregoing program and RAW image file, originalimage data (original RAW image data) serving as a substance of the imagedata of the RAW image file, reduced RAW image data, an original RAWdevelopment result, a reduced RAW development result, developmentconditions, and an original RAW transmission flag.

The necessary program is read out from the program in the hard disk 203and stored in the DRAM 204. The RAW image file selected by the userthrough the input unit 202 is read out from the RAW image files in thehard disk 203 and stored in the DRAM 204.

A contrast=0 and a brightness=0 are stored in the DRAM 204 as initialvalues of the development conditions. When the user has changed thedevelopment conditions through the input unit 202, they are updated tothe changed values and stored. The development conditions are a set ofpicture quality adjustment parameters which are used when developing theRAW image data. In the embodiment, it is assumed that with respect tothe contrast and brightness, adjustment values of 11 levels in a rangefrom −5 to +5 can be designated.

As an initial value of the original RAW transmission flag, “0”indicating not-completion is stored in the DRAM 204. When thetransmission to the server apparatus 105 is completed with respect toall of the RAW image files as selection subjects, the value is updatedto “1” indicative of completion of the transmission and stored.

As processings of the PC, the CPU 205 makes control of fundamentalprocessings such as file 10, memory 10, display processing to thedisplay unit 201, image processing, user input acceptance processingfrom the input unit 202, and transmission and reception processing ofcommands and data to/from the server apparatus 105 through the Internetline 104. The CPU 205 also controls each processing order and executesother processings which are necessary at present in the general PC.

Subsequently, an internal construction of the server apparatus 105 willbe described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagramillustrating in detail the internal construction of the server apparatus105.

The server apparatus 105 has a hard disk 222 serving as a nonvolatilestorage medium, a DRAM 239 serving as a volatile storage medium, and aCPU 224 serving as a central processing unit. They are connected to aninternal bus 243.

The internal bus 243 is a bus for directly or indirectly connecting thehard disk 222, CPU 224, DRAM 239, Internet line 104, and other units(not shown), thereby enabling them to mutually perform data transmissionand reception.

The operating system (OS) and a program for making the server apparatus105 operative as a server apparatus 105 of the image processing systemhave been stored in the hard disk 222. The CPU 224 reads out the programfrom the hard disk 222, stores it into the DRAM 239, and sequentiallyexecutes it, thereby realizing functions and processings, which will bedescribed hereinafter.

The DRAM 239 stores the foregoing program and original RAW image data,reduced RAW image data, original RAW development result, reduced RAWdevelopment result, and an original RAW data reception completion flag,which will be described hereinafter.

The necessary program is read out from the programs in the hard disk 222and stored in the DRAM 239. The original RAW image data and reduced RAWimage data received from the client apparatus 101 through the Internetline 104 is stored in the DRAM 239.

As an initial value of the original RAW reception completion flag, “0”indicating not-completion is stored in the DRAM 239. When the receptionof the original RAW image data is completed, the value is updated to “1”indicative of completion of the reception and stored.

The CPU 224 makes control of the file IO, memory IO, image processing,transmission and reception processing of the commands and data to/fromthe server apparatus 105 through the Internet line 104, and fundamentalprocessings as processings of the PC. The CPU 224 controls eachprocessing order and executes other processings which are necessary atpresent in the general PC.

Processing Procedure of Client Apparatus 101

Subsequently, a processing procedure of the client apparatus 101according to the embodiment will be described with reference toflowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, in step S501, when the user operates the client apparatus 101 anddesignates a URL of the server apparatus 105, the CPU 205 accesses theserver apparatus 105 through the Internet line 104 and requests adevelopment service. At this time, the CPU 205 also transmitsinformation such as user account and password necessary for thedevelopment service to the server apparatus 105.

Subsequently, in step S502, in response to the operation of the user,the CPU 205 selects the RAW image file as a development processingsubject from a plurality of RAW image files existing in the hard disk203.

Since software for developing the RAW image file and converting into afile of a display-possible format is not installed in the clientapparatus 101, the user presumes the image contents from attributeinformation such as file name and photographing time and date andselects the RAW image file. Therefore, since a possibility that the usererroneously selects the RAW image file is high, in order to reduce tryand error of the selecting operation, it is necessary to promptlydisplay the image so that the contents can be easily understood.

In step S503, the CPU 205 communicates with the server apparatus 105 andexecutes a negotiation processing. After completion of the negotiationprocessing, the CPU 205 activates an original RAW transmission threadadapted to transmit the original RAW image data. “Thread” used here issimilar to that in the present general operating system and is anexecution unit of a parallel processing smaller than the process uponexecution of the program. Hereinafter, the CPU 205 executes an originalRAW transmission thread processing under a background of a main threadprocessing. In the main thread, the CPU 205 progresses a processingroutine to step S504. In the original RAW transmission thread, theprocessing routine advances to processings illustrated in the flowchartof FIG. 6, which will be described hereinafter.

In the negotiation processing in S503, the CPU 205 also transmits andreceives information necessary for a reduction processing of theoriginal RAW image data. At the time of the negotiation with the serverapparatus 105, the CPU 205 transmits data in a header portion of the RAWimage file serving as a development processing subject to the serverapparatus 105. The server apparatus 105 analyzes the data in the headerportion and obtains a detailed format and information for specifying anapparatus type of the digital camera 102. A decoder program and thereduction processing program corresponding to the relevant format andapparatus type are transmitted to the client apparatus 101. In theembodiment, although the server apparatus 105 transmits only the decoderprogram and reduction processing program corresponding to the relevantformat and apparatus type to the client apparatus 101, the invention isnot limited to such an example. For example, the server apparatus 105preliminarily transmits decoder programs and the reduced processingprograms corresponding to all formats which are supported and theapparatus types to the client apparatus 101. The CPU 205 may selectivelyuse the program according to the format of the RAW image file and theapparatus type.

In step S504, the CPU 205 executes a reduction processing of theoriginal RAW image according to the decoder format and the reductionprocessing program obtained in the negotiation processing in step S503.In the embodiment, it is assumed that a size of image display area 751of an image display window 750 as illustrated in FIG. 9 in the displayunit 201 is equal to 640 pixels (in the lateral direction) and 480pixels (in the vertical direction) (hereinbelow, the size is simplyexpressed by 640×480). It is assumed that the original RAW image datahas a size of 5120 pixels (in the lateral direction) and 3840 pixels (inthe vertical direction) in a Bayer array constructed by components of R(red), G (green), and B (blue) as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The CPU 205detects the display size of the image display area and forms reduced RAWimage data by reducing the original RAW image data according to thedisplay size. That is, the original RAW image data as illustrated inFIG. 4A is thinned out into ⅛ in each of the lateral direction and thevertical direction, thereby forming reduced RAW image data of 640 pixels(in the lateral direction) and 480 pixels (in the vertical direction) asillustrated in FIG. 4B. Since the original RAW image data is reduced tothe size of ⅛ in each of the lateral and vertical directions, the sizeof reduced RAW image data is decreased to 1/64 of the size of originalRAW image data. The CPU 205 stores the formed reduced RAW image datainto the hard disk 203.

In the reduction processing in the embodiment, it is assumed that asshown by arrows P1, P2, and P3 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the adjacent R, G, G,and B pixels are handled as one block so that an adjacent pattern in theBayer array is not disturbed, and the thinning-out processing isexecuted on a block unit basis.

Subsequently, in step S505, the CPU 205 transmits the reduced RAW imagedata of the 640×480 size stored in the hard disk 203 to the serverapparatus 105 through the Internet line 104.

After that, in step S506, the CPU 205 receives a development result ofthe reduced RAW image data transmitted to the server apparatus 105 instep S505, from the server apparatus 105 and stores it into the harddisk 203.

In the embodiment, the development result of the reduced RAW image datahas been compressed by a JPEG format in the server apparatus 105.Therefore, in step S507, the CPU 205 executes a JPEG decoding processingto the reduced RAW image data. In step S508, the CPU 205 displays thedevelopment result of the reduced RAW image data to which the decodingprocessing has been performed into the image display area 751 of thedisplay unit 201.

At this point of time, the user can confirm the image contents in theRAW image file selected in step S502 on the display unit 201. Therefore,even if the user erroneously selected the RAW image file, he can beaware of it.

In step S509, the CPU 205 discriminates whether or not the user hasinput a file reselection command through the input unit 202. If the RAWimage file displayed in step S508 is not the image which the userintends, the user can input the file reselection command by operatingthe input unit 202. If YES in step S509, the CPU 205 executes a resetprocessing of an original RAW transmission thread in step S510. Afterthat, the processing routine is returned to step S502.

In the reset processing of the original RAW transmission thread in stepS510, the CPU 205 initializes the original RAW transmission flag in theDRAM 204 to “0”, sends a selected RAW change notification to the serverapparatus 105, and thereafter, finishes the original RAW transmissionthread.

If NO in step S509, in step S511, the CPU 205 reads out, from the DRAM204, the development conditions used at the time of the developmentprocessing of the reduced RAW development result which is beingdisplayed at present and development conditions which were newly inputand discriminates whether or not the development conditions have beenchanged. In the embodiment, the user can input two adjustment items ofthe contrast and brightness as development conditions by operating aslider control through the input unit 202. If YES in step S511, in stepS523, the CPU 205 transmits the development conditions to the serverapparatus 105 and, thereafter, returns the processing routine to stepS506.

For example, when the development conditions used at the time of thedevelopment processing of the reduced RAW development result which isbeing displayed at present in the display unit 201 are equal to<contrast=0, brightness=0> and the development conditions which werenewly input are equal to <contrast=2, brightness=1>, it is determinedthat the development conditions have been changed.

If the development conditions which were newly input are also equal to<contrast=0, brightness=0>, it is determined that the developmentconditions are not changed.

In step S512, the CPU 205 discriminates whether or not an instruction toexecute the development of the original RAW image has been input inresponse to the operation of the user. When the user satisfies thereduced RAW development result, he inputs the execution instruction ofthe development processing of the original RAW image data through theinput unit 202. In response to it, the CPU 205 issues the executioninstruction to the server apparatus 105. If NO in step S512, the CPU 205returns the processing routine to step S511.

If YES in step S512, step S513 follows and the CPU 205 discriminateswhether or not the transmission of the original RAW image data to theserver apparatus 105 has been completed, with reference to the originalRAW transmission flag in the DRAM 204. If a value of the original RAWtransmission flag is equal to “1” in step S513, the CPU 205 determinesthat the transmission of the original RAW image data has been allcompleted. After that, in step S514, the CPU 205 receives thedevelopment result of the original RAW image data from the serverapparatus 105 and stores into the hard disk 203. After completion of thereception of the development result of all of the original RAW imagedata, the CPU 205 executes a service ending processing with the serverapparatus 105 in step S515 and, thereafter, finishes the presentprocessing procedure. After that, the CPU 205 reads out the developmentresult of the original RAW image data from the hard disk 203, executes aJPEG decoding processing, and displays a processing result to thedisplay unit 201.

Subsequently, a processing procedure of the original RAW imagetransmission thread activated by the CPU 205 in step S503 will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

The CPU 205 executes processings of the original RAW transmission threadafter step S517 in FIG. 6 in parallel with the foregoing main thread. Inthe parallel processings in a PC of a present general single CPU, theprocessings are not actually executed in parallel. The CPU 205 finelyexecutes the processings of each thread in order according to theoperating system. The parallel processings in the embodiment may besimilar to them.

In step S517, the CPU 205 negotiates with the server apparatus 105 andnotifies the server apparatus 105 that the transmission of the originalRAW image data is started. In step S518, the CPU 205 discriminateswhether or not the main thread is executing the data transmission andreception to/from the server apparatus 105. If the main thread istransmitting and receiving the data to/from the server apparatus 105,the discrimination in step S518 is made again after the elapse of apredetermined waiting time.

If the main thread is not transmitting and receiving the data to/fromthe server apparatus 105, the CPU 205 divides the original RAW imagedata into small units and transmits to the server apparatus 105.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment, network resources (bands) arepreferentially allocated to the transmission and reception of thereduced RAW image data and the reduced RAW development result by themain thread. Thus, even if the original RAW image data has already beentransmitted by the background, a display response speed and a displayupdating response speed of the reduced RAW image data are improved. Bydividing the original RAW image data into the small units andtransmitting every portion in step S519, a data amount in thetransmission and reception decreases and a load which is applied to thetransmission and reception processing or the image processing fordisplaying is reduced.

Subsequently, in step S520, the CPU 205 discriminates whether or not thetransmission of all of the original RAW image data to the serverapparatus 105 has been finished. If the data which is not transmittedyet exists, a discrimination result in step S520 is NO and the CPU 205returns the processing routine to step S518. When the transmission ofall of the original RAW image data to the server apparatus 105 isfinished, the discrimination result in step S520 is YES. In step S521,the CPU 205 updates the original RAW transmission flag in the DRAM 204to “1” and, thereafter, finishes the processing of the original RAWtransmission thread.

Processing Procedure of server Apparatus 105

Subsequently, a processing procedure of the server apparatus 105according to the embodiment will be described with reference toflowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In step S601, the CPU 224 receives a request for the development serviceand information necessary for the development service from the clientapparatus 101 and executes a starting processing of the developmentservice. In the starting processing of the development service, theserver apparatus 105 makes authentication or the like of the user of theclient apparatus 101 and executes an initialization processing of anoriginal RAW reception completion flag, and the like.

Subsequently, in step S602, the CPU 224 executes a processing fornegotiating with the client apparatus 101. After completion of thenegotiation processing, the CPU 224 activates the original RAW receptionthread in step S603. The CPU 224 executes an original RAW receivingthread processing by the background of the main thread processing. Inthe main thread, the CPU 224 progresses the processing routine to stepS604. In the original RAW receiving thread, the processing routineadvances to processings illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8, whichwill be described hereinafter.

In step S604, the CPU 224 receives the reduced RAW image data from theclient apparatus 101 and stores it into the hard disk 222. In step S605,the CPU 224 reads out the development conditions from the DRAM 239 forthe reduced RAW image data in the hard disk 222, executes thedevelopment processing according to the development conditions, andstores a development result into the hard disk 222. It is now assumedthat the initial values of the development conditions in the DRAM 239are set to <contrast=0, brightness=0>.

The CPU 224 compresses the development result of step S605 by the JPEGformat in step S606 and transmits the compressed data to the clientapparatus 101 in step S607.

In step S608, the CPU 224 discriminates whether or not the updateddevelopment conditions have been received from the client apparatus 101.If YES in step S608, the CPU 224 returns the processing routine to stepS605. The CPU 224 updates the values in the DRAM 239 based on theadjustment values of the received development conditions and executesthe development processing for the RAW reduced image data again by usingthe updated development conditions.

For example, when the development conditions of <contrast=2,brightness=1> different from the initial values are received from theclient apparatus 101, the CPU 224 updates the adjustment values of thedevelopment conditions in the DRAM 239 and develops the RAW reducedimage data by using the new adjustment values.

If NO in step S608, in step S609, the CPU 224 discriminates whether ornot the selected RAW change notification has been received from theclient apparatus 101. If YES in step S608, in step S610, the CPU 224initializes the original RAW reception completion flag and, thereafter,returns the processing routine to step S602.

In next step S611, the CPU 224 discriminates whether or not theexecution instruction of the original RAW development has been acceptedfrom the client apparatus 101. If NO in step S611, the CPU 224 returnsthe processing routine to step S608. If YES in step S611, in step S612,with reference to the original RAW reception completion flag, the CPU224 discriminates whether or not the reception of all of the originalRAW image data has been completed. If NO in step S612, the CPU 224 makesthe discrimination of step S612 again after the elapse of thepredetermined waiting time. If YES in step S612, in step S613, the CPU224 reads out the development processing conditions used in step S605from the DRAM 239, develops the original RAW image data by using theread-out conditions, and stores a development result into the hard disk222.

In next step S614, the CPU 224 executes a JPEG encoding processing tothe development result of the original RAW image data in the hard disk222. In step S615, the CPU 224 transmits the JPEG-encoded developmentresult of the original RAW image data to the client apparatus 101. Whenthe transmission is completed, the CPU 224 executes the service endingprocessing in step S616 and, thereafter, finishes the processing of themain thread in the present flow.

Subsequently, in step S603, the processing procedure for the originalRAW receiving thread activated by the CPU 224 in step S603 will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8.

First, in step S617, the CPU 224 discriminates whether or not the mainthread is transmitting and receiving the data. If YES in step S617, theCPU 224 makes the discrimination in step S617 again after the elapse ofthe predetermined waiting time. If NO in step S617, the CPU 224 receivesa part of the original RAW image data. In next step S619, the CPU 224discriminates the presence or absence of the selected RAW changenotification from the client apparatus 101. If YES in step S619, sincethe original RAW image data which is being received at present is thedata which is not used, the CPU 224 finishes the original RAW receivingthread.

If NO in step S619, in step S620, the CPU 224 discriminates whether ornot all of the original RAW image data has been received. If thereception of all of the original RAW image data has been completed, instep S621, the CPU 224 updates the original RAW reception completionflag to “1” and, thereafter, finishes the original RAW receiving thread.If NO in step S620, the CPU 224 returns the processing routine to stepS617.

An example of a time which is required for each processing will bedescribed hereinbelow. The following equations (1) and (2) show datasizes of the original RAW image data and the reduced RAW image data inthe case where a bit depth of each pixel is equal to 16 bits (2 bytes),respectively.

Data size of original RAW image data:

5120×3840×2 bytes=39,321,600 bytes (about 40 Mbytes)   (1)

Data size of reduced RAW image data:

640×480×2 bytes=614400 bytes (about 614 kbytes)   (2)

The reduction processing of the RAW image data in step S504 is thesimple thinning-out processing as mentioned above. The processingcontents are a copy in the memory of the data in the memory of 614kbytes. Such a processing is a processing of a short time of 0.1 secondor shorter in the present general PC.

Assuming that the communication speed in the upstream direction of theInternet line 104 is equal to 2 Mbps which is a general speed atpresent, a time which is required for the transmission processing of thereduced RAW image data in step S505 is equal to about 2.5 seconds asshown by the following equations (3).

Transmission time of reduced RAW image data:

614 kbytes=614,000×8 bits=4,912,000 bits

4,912,000 bits÷2,000,000 bps=2.456 sec (about 2.5 seconds)   (3)

A time which is required for the transmission processing of the originalRAW image data in step S503 is equal to about 160 seconds as shown bythe following equations (4).

Transmission time of original RAW image data:

40 Mbytes=40,000,000×8 bits=320,000,000 bits

320,000,000 bits÷2,000,000 bps=160 sec (about 160 seconds)   (4)

A time which is required for the development of the reduced RAW imagedata in step S605 is equal to about 1 second in the present generaldevelopment software on the present general PC.

A time which is required for the JPEG encoding/decoding processing ineach of steps S507 and S614 is equal to a value on the order of 0.1second or shorter in the present general PC and can be ignored.

A data size of the reduced RAW development result is equal to about 92kbytes as shown in the following equations (5). Such a value is a valueobtained in the case where the data is 8-bit data of three RGBcomponents and a JPEG compression ratio is set to a general value ofabout 1/10.

Original data: 640×480×3×1=921,600 bytes

After JPEG compression:=921,600 bytes÷10=92,160 bytes (about 92 kbytes)  (5)

A time which is required to transmit the reduced RAW development resultin step S607 is equal to about 0.14 second as shown by the followingequations (6). It is a value in the case where a communication speed inthe downstream direction of the Internet line 104 is set to a presentgeneral value of about 5 Mbps.

Transmission time of reduced RAW development result:

92,160 bytes×8 bits=737,280 bits

737,280 bits÷5,000,000 bps=0.14 sec (about 0.14 second)   (6)

Therefore, a time which is required until the image contents aredisplayed in the image display area 751 in the display unit 201 of theclient apparatus 101 after the RAW image file was selected is equal toabout 3.64 seconds as shown by the following equations (7).

Transmission time of reduced RAW in step S505=about 2.5 seconds

Development time of reduced RAW in step S605=about 1.0 second

Transmission time of reduced RAW development result in step S607=about0.14 second

Required time in steps S702 to S711:

1.5 sec+1.0 sec+0.14 sec=3.64 sec   (7)

A time which is required for transmission of the updated developmentconditions in step S523 can be ignored because the data to betransmitted is two integer values regarding the contrast and brightnessand a data amount is equal to a value on the order of about tends ofbytes.

Consequently, a time which is required until the development result towhich the changed development conditions have been reflected isdisplayed in the image display area 751 is equal to about 1.14 secondsas shown by the following equations (8).

Development time of reduced RAW in step S714=about 1.0 second (similarto that in S708)

Transmission time of reduced RAW development result in step S716=about0.14 second (similar to that in S710)

Required time in steps S712 to S717:

1.0 sec+0.14 sec=1.14 sec   (8)

Although the waiting time which is required until the reception of theoriginal RAW image data in step S612 is completed differs depending onthe time which is required for the user to execute the adjustingoperation of the RAW image data, assuming that the time which isrequired for the adjusting operation is equal to, for example, about 2minutes, the waiting time is equal to about 40 seconds as shown by thefollowing equations (9).

Reception time of original RAW image data=transmission time of originalRAW image data−adjusting operation time=160 sec−120 sec=40 sec   (9)

A time which is required for the development processing of the originalRAW image data is equal to about 10 seconds in the present general PC.

As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, since the serverapparatus 105 receives the reduced RAW image data from the clientapparatus 101 before the original RAW image data and executes thedevelopment processing, an amount of data which is transmitted andreceived until the user confirms an outline of the development result issmall.

Since the server apparatus 105 develops the reduced RAW image data andprovides its result to the client apparatus 101 prior to developing theoriginal RAW image data, the user of the client apparatus 101 canpromptly confirm the outline of the development result of the image.

Since the server apparatus 105 receives the reduced RAW image data andreceives the original RAW image data from the client apparatus 101 inparallel with the development processing, the user can also execute thedevelopment processing of the original RAW image data just afterconfirming the outline of the development result.

In the embodiment, the CPU 205 of the client apparatus 101 loads eachprogram from the hard disk 203. However, the invention is not limited tosuch a construction but the CPU 205 may download each program from theserver apparatus 105 as a plug-in of the Web browser.

Second Embodiment

In an image processing system in the second embodiment, an enlargementfunction of the RAW image data displayed in the image display area 751is provided. By using the enlargement function, the user can alsoconfirm the details of a specific portion in the image. When the userclicks a point in the image display area 751 by a mouse cursor, theclient apparatus 101 switches the RAW image data from a ⅛ reductiondisplay to an equal magnification display. A description of portionssimilar to those in the first embodiment is omitted and a constructionwhich is unique to the second embodiment will be described in detailhereinbelow.

Image Display

A state of an image display according to the embodiment will bedescribed hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B.FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B are display screen diagrams eachillustrating the image display state in the second embodiment.

The image display window 750 in the embodiment has an enlargement button1001 and a reduction button 1002 as illustrated in FIG. 10A. When theuser clicks the enlargement button 1001 by the mouse cursor, the mousecursor changes to an enlargement button mark. When the user clicks aleft button of a mouse in this state at an arbitrary position in theimage display area 751, the display state is switched to the equalmagnification display in which the clicked position is set to a center.

FIG. 10B illustrates a state where after the user clicked a flowerportion, the flower portion is displayed at the equal magnification.Areas such as cauline portion and leaf portion which are not displayedexist in this state. Scroll buttons 1101 and 1102 in the diagram areprovided to display non-display portions. When the user drags the scrollbutton 1101 in the lower direction as illustrated in FIG. 11A, thedisplay state of the image display area 751 is changed. FIG. 11Billustrates a state where when the user has scrolled the scroll button1101 in the lower direction, an area of a leaf existing under the floweris displayed.

Processing Procedure on Client Apparatus 101 Side

Subsequently, a processing procedure on the client apparatus 101 side inthe embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14.FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure on theclient apparatus 101 side in the embodiment. FIGS. 13 and 14 areconceptual diagrams each for describing the reduced RAW image datacropped out from the original RAW image data.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the processing procedure of the clientapparatus 101 in the embodiment is almost similar to that in the firstembodiment and only the procedure of steps S801 and S802 differs.

In step S801, the CPU 205 executes the reduction processing or partialcrop-out processing to the original RAW image data according to thestate of the image display area 751. When a magnification to bedisplayed at present indicates the equal magnification display, first,the CPU 205 executes a calculation of a display subject area. Forexample, assuming that coordinates where the user has clicked theenlargement button 1001 are equal to (X, Y)=(200, 200) while the upperleft corner of the image is set to an origin, the display subject areais calculated as follows.

First, the coordinates of the clicked position are converted into anoriginal coordinate system. That is, (200, 200) in the ⅛ coordinatesystem are increased by eight times and converted into (1600, 1600) inthe original coordinate system. The coordinates of each vertex in thedisplay area are calculated as follows. That is, the coordinates of eachvertex of the 640×480 size in which the (1600, 1600) coordinates are setto the center are calculated by the following equations (11) to (14).

X coordinate of upper left corner=1600−(640/2)=1280   (11)

Y coordinate of upper left corner=1600−(480/2)=1360   (12)

X coordinate of lower right corner=1280+640−1=1919   (13)

Y coordinate of lower right corner=1360+480−1=1839   (14)

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in step S801, by using the coordinatescalculated as mentioned above, the CPU 205 forms reduced RAW image datacropped out from the original RAW image data. When a magnification to bedisplayed at present is set to the reduced display of the 640×480 size,a reduction processing similar to that in the first embodiment isexecuted.

Subsequently, a case where the user executed the scroll operation to theimage display area 751 from the state where the equations (11) to(14)=(1280, 1360, 1919, 1839) will be described.

In the embodiment, when the user has moved the scroll button 1101 by adistance of one dot, the area is scrolled by a distance of 20 dots anddisplayed. In this case, when the user has dragged the scroll button inthe lower direction by a distance of 50 dots, this means that the areain the coordinate system of the original RAW image data is shifteddownwardly by a distance of 100 pixels. Therefore, the CPU 205calculates the coordinates of the area by the following equations (15)to (18).

X coordinate of upper left corner=equation (11)   (15)

Y coordinate of upper left corner=equation (12)+100=1460   (16)

X coordinate of lower right corner=equation (13)   (17)

Y coordinate of lower right corner=equation (14)+100=1939   (18)

As illustrated in FIG. 14, in step S801, by using the coordinatescalculated as mentioned above, the CPU 205 forms the reduced RAW imagedata cropped out from the original RAW image data.

In step S802, the CPU 205 discriminates whether or not the user hasexecuted the operation to change the display state such as enlargement,reduction, or scroll through the input unit 202. If the user executedthe display state changing operation, the CPU 205 returns the processingroutine to step S801 and executes the forming processing of the reducedRAW image data again.

Processing Procedure on Server Apparatus 105 Side in the SecondEmbodiment

Subsequently, a processing procedure on the server apparatus 105 side inthe embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.15.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the processing procedure of the clientapparatus 101 in the embodiment is almost similar to that in the firstembodiment and only a procedure of step S901 differs therefrom.

In step S901, the CPU 224 discriminates whether or not there is aretransmission request of the reduced RAW image data from the clientapparatus 101. If YES in step S901, the CPU 224 returns the processingroutine to step S604 and receives the reduced RAW image data again fromthe client apparatus 101. If NO in step S901, the CPU 224 progresses theprocessing routine to step S608.

Sequence of Image Processing System

Subsequently, a sequence of the processing procedure of each of theclient apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 105 described by theflowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 15 will be described further in detail.

(A) Sequence When the User has Instructed the Equal Magnification

First, a sequence when the user has instructed the equal magnificationwill be described with reference to FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 17. FIGS. 16Aand 16B are display screen diagrams each illustrating the image displaystate when the user has instructed the equal magnification. FIG. 17 is asequence diagram at that time.

A case where the user clicked a point on the image display area 751 bythe enlargement button 1001 from the reduced display state asillustrated in FIG. 16A will be described. When the user clicks it, theclient apparatus 101 calculates a crop-out area of the original RAWimage data as shown by the foregoing equations (11) to (14) in stepS1601. The user forms reduced RAW image data by executing the crop-outprocessing of the original RAW image data of the flower portion based ona calculation result and, thereafter, transmits the reduced RAW imagedata to the server apparatus 105.

When the reduced RAW image data is received from the client apparatus101, the server apparatus 105 executes the development processing to thereduced RAW image data in step S1602. In step S1603, the serverapparatus 105 JPEG-encodes its development result and, thereafter,transmits encoded data to the client apparatus 101.

When the development result is received from the server apparatus 105,in step S1604, the client apparatus 101 updates the display of the imagedisplay area 751, thereby setting a state where the flower portion hasbeen displayed at the equal magnification as illustrated in FIG. 16B.

(B) Sequence in the Case Where the User Executed the Scroll Operation

Subsequently, a sequence in the case where the user executed the scrolloperation will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B and 19.FIGS. 18A and 18B are display screen diagrams each illustrating an imagedisplay state when the user has executed the scroll operation. FIG. 19is a sequence diagram at that time.

When the user drags the scroll button 1101 in the lower direction fromthe display state as illustrated in FIG. 18A, the client apparatus 101calculates the crop-out area of the original RAW image data as shown bythe equations (15) to (18) in step S1701. Subsequently, the CPU formsthe reduced RAW image data by executing a crop-out processing of theoriginal RAW image data of a cauline and leaf portion based on acalculation result and, thereafter, transmits the reduced RAW image datato the server apparatus 105.

When the reduced RAW image data is received from the client apparatus101, the server apparatus 105 develops the reduced RAW image data instep S1702, JPEG-encodes its development result in step S1703, andthereafter, transmits encoded data to the client apparatus 101. When thedevelopment result is received from the server apparatus 105, in stepS1704, the client apparatus 101 updates the display of the image displayarea 751, thereby setting a state where the cauline and leaf portion hasbeen displayed at the equal magnification as illustrated in FIG. 18B.

As described above, in the embodiment, in association with the change inimage display state such as enlargement, reduction, or scroll which isperformed by the user, the client apparatus 101 forms the reduced RAWimage data by cropping out the original RAW image data and transmits thereduced RAW image data to the server apparatus 105 again. The serverapparatus 105 develops the reduced RAW image data which wasretransmitted and transmits the development result to the clientapparatus 101. Thus, the user can partially confirm the RAW developmentresult at the equal magnification.

In the equal magnification display mode, the client apparatus 101executes the crop-out processing to the original RAW image data inconsideration of the display area and transmits the least necessaryoriginal RAW image data to the server apparatus 105. Therefore, the usercan confirm by the high resolution image while maintaining the responsespeed of the image display updating. This means that in the case wherethe user needs to confirm the details of a position of an in-focuspoint, if there is no need to confirm them by the whole image, a desiredportion of the user can be displayed at a high speed and high picturequality, so that usability is improved.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or device such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the stops ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese

Patent Applications No. 2009-110718, filed Apr. 30, 2009, and No.2010-068620, filed Mar. 24, 2010 which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

1. An image processing system in which a server apparatus and a clientapparatus are connected through a network, the client apparatuscomprising: a reducing unit configured to form a reduced image byreducing an original image; a first transmitting unit configured totransmit the reduced image to the server apparatus; a first receivingunit configured to receive a result of image processing of the reducedimage by the server apparatus from the server apparatus; a display unitconfigured to display the result of the image processing of the reducedimage onto a display screen; an issuing unit configured to issue anexecution instruction of an image processing to the original image tothe server apparatus after the display unit displayed the result of theimage processing of the reduced image onto the display screen; and astarting unit configured to start the transmission of the original imageto the server apparatus when the first transmitting unit transmits thereduced image to the server apparatus, and the server apparatuscomprising an image processing unit configured to execute the imageprocessing on the reduced image transmitted from the client apparatus; asecond transmitting unit configured to transmit the result of the imageprocessing of the reduced image executed by the image processing unit tothe client apparatus; and a second receiving unit configured to receivethe original image from the client apparatus, wherein after the imageprocessing was executed on the reduced image, the image processing unitexecutes the image processing on the original image by using anadjustment value used in the image processing to the reduced image.
 2. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein the reducing unit reduces theoriginal image according to a display size of the display screen.
 3. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein when there is an instruction tochange an area of the image which is displayed on the display screen,the reducing unit forms the reduced image by cropping out a portioncorresponding to the area of the original image.
 4. A system accordingto claim 1, wherein the original image is RAW image data and the imageprocessing is a development processing of the RAW image data.
 5. Acontrol method of an image processing system in which a server apparatusand a client apparatus are connected through a network, the controlmethod of the client apparatus comprising: a reducing step of forming areduced image by reducing an original image; a first transmitting stepof transmitting the reduced image to the server apparatus; a firstreceiving step of receiving a result of image processing the reducedimage by the server apparatus from the server apparatus; a displayingstep of displaying the result of the image processing of the reducedimage onto a display screen; an issuing step of issuing an executioninstruction of an image processing to the original image to the serverapparatus after the result of the image processing of the reduced imagewas displayed onto the display screen in the displaying step; and astarting step of starting the transmission of the original image to theserver apparatus when the reduced image is transmitted to the serverapparatus in the first transmitting step, and the control method of theserver apparatus comprising: an image processing step of executing theimage processing on the reduced image transmitted from the clientapparatus; a second transmitting step of transmitting the result of theimage processing to the reduced image executed by the image processingstep to the client apparatus; and a second receiving step of receivingthe original image from the client apparatus, wherein in the imageprocessing step, after the image processing was executed to the reducedimage, the image processing is executed on the original image by usingan adjustment value used in the image processing to the reduced image.6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the reducing step includesreducing the original image according to a display size of the displayscreen.
 7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the reducing stepincludes a step of forming the reduced image by cropping out a portioncorresponding to the area of the original image when there is aninstruction of a change in area of the image which is displayed on thedisplay screen.
 8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the originalimage is RAW image data and the image processing is a developmentprocessing of the RAW image data.
 9. A computer-readable storage mediumstoring a program comprising a program code for causing a computer toexecute the control method according to claim 5.